Several stakeholders in HIV/AIDS care and support in the Khomas Region, have called on men to be role models for their communities and encourage the youth on HIV care.

This appeal was made here on Tuesday during the belated World AIDS Day commemoration, held by the City of Windhoek (CoW).

Katutura-based Teen Club Support Group member, Andreas Shikulo urged the men in the community to be exemplary to the young ones as this will help in spreading awareness around HIV/AIDS.

“On behalf of men, I would like to say let’s pull up our socks and leave this thing of staying behind because without us, we cannot encourage the little ones,” Shikulo said.

He called on men to start joining and attending events of this nature, saying it is important in helping to spread awareness.

Meanwhile, City of Windhoek councillor and chairperson of the council’s economic development, public safety and citizen welfare advisory committee, Austin Kwenani, expressed his disappointment at not seeing more male representatives amongst the invited support groups.

“Participating and engagement of men in HIV care is part of our contribution to the national HIV response strategy,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, UNAIDS Country Director Alti Zwandor said in 2021 there was a 10-point difference recorded on how men and women living with HIV were accessing treatment.

“Harmful masculinity is discouraging men from seeking care,” Zwandor said, adding that transforming harmful masculinity norms among men and boys will help reduce their HIV risks and it will also reduce risks and vulnerabilities to HIV among women and adolescent girls.

(NAMPA)

Source: The Namibian Press Agency